Chevy Volt as cool and fun to drive as it is practical
When Trevor and Linda Weimer started vehicle shopping this summer, they had a sole target in mind: a car that would maximize their gas savings.
When they drove their first-ever electric vehicle (EV), a glistening, kinetic blue metallic 2017 Chevy Volt, off the lot a few weeks later, they got exactly that – along with something more than they’d bargained for: a car that’s as cool, comfortable and fun to drive as it is practical.
“We can’t believe how nicely an electric vehicle drives compared to a combustion car,” says Trevor. “It’s so quiet, and smooth. You hardly notice the transition from electric to gas. EVs are fast – very fast.”
“And that’s not even in sport mode,” interjects Linda, who admits, with a laugh, to being the first of the pair to give that setting a try.
The Weimers recently sold their long-time family home and bought a new house in Chilliwack. They’ll be moving this January – along with their 13-year-old-son – and driving 38 kilometres back and forth to work each day. When they started looking at new cars they knew they’d need something more efficient for the longer commute.
“We didn’t want a gas car that was supplemented by electric,” explains Trevor. “But we also didn’t want [an electric-only car] because this was going to be our main vehicle.”
As avid triathletes who travel the province to race, the family needed a range of at least a few hundred kilometres.
Two options fit the bill: the Volt and the BMW i3, which are both primarily electric vehicles. The Volt has a 1.5-litre direct injected gas-powered generator that keeps you going once the battery power runs low. The Volt can go farther overall: 85 km without gas, and 600-plus with the range extender gasoline engine. The i3 offers a total combined range of 290 km.
And while it resembles a sleek, space-age sedan, the Volt is actually a hatchback, with 301 litres of cargo space.
Chevy’s offering also beats the BMW on cost, coming in at a starting price of $34,590 after a B.C. government EV rebate of $5,000, versus the i3’s $45,300 postrebate price. When factoring in fuel savings and the lighter maintenance requirements of an EV, the Weimers estimate within 10 years they’ll have spent less overall than if they’d bought a gas vehicle.
The Volt’s ease of charging has also been a pleasant surprise for the Weimers. Plugged into a standard 120-volt outlet, the battery takes about nine hours to top up. In a 240volt charging station, which owners can install at home, it takes about four hours.
“We’re making pretty good use of public charging stations right now,” says Linda. “They’re actually all over the place. We’ll park to charge then walk to where we need to go, and it only costs about $2.50.”
The Weimers bought their Volt from the sales staff at their local dealership. It was the test drive that sealed the deal, and in August the Weimers went home with their very own EV.
Trevor jokes that he’s so happy with the purchase, he should start giving seminars: “If I could somehow get people to drive the Volt for a month, they would be very reluctant to give it back.”
For more information about the Chevy Volt, visit: www. lowermainlandchevrolet.ca.